“The present-day prophet Fr Stan Swamy SJ inspires and challenges me to go out of my comfort zone and work for the people of God with courage. The cry of the poor, the domination of the rich, the victimisation of social activists, the killing of minorities, Dalits and Adivasis make me not to be a silent spectator but to commit myself for the marginalised people”, asserted Sch. Cannon Fernandes SJ.
The course on social and cultural analysis provided a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of society and culture, highlighting the formation of our social structures and processes. It enabled the participants to critically analyse and understand social issues and their impacts on the people. By understanding the social structures, power relations and inequalities, the participants realised the importance of empowerment of the poor.
One significant aspect of the Workshop was the emphasis on Catholic Social Teachings, which provides a faith-based framework for addressing social issues. It emphasised the dignity of the human person, the promotion of Social Justice and the common good, providing a moral foundation for addressing social issues.
The Workshop also highlighted the atrocities of and the challenges faced by marginalised communities, such as Dalits and women who face discrimination and violence. Ms Cynthia Stephen said, that understanding their experiences and perspectives is crucial for developing policies and interventions to address their issues.
Our students are made to learn how the Indian Constitution provides a framework for democracy, secularism and social justice. However, the challenge lies in implementing the constitutional provisions effectively. Advocate Manoranjini addressed the participants on Fundamentalism and communalism which pose a great threat to social harmony and amity, but leading to violence and conflict in society. In this context, she stressed on the need for Secularism which is crucial for promoting pluralism and social harmony.
The course had covered a wide range of topics that are crucial for understanding the complexities of our society through the prism of the Constitution, Gender, Sexual Minorities, Dalits, Adivasis, Migrants, Backward Communities, child rights, Media, Globalisation, Privatisation and Liberalisation etc. Scholastic Jenith said, “The Socio-cultural Analysis course cum workshop gave us a deeper understanding of the current issues and equipped us to respond to them proactively and collectively. The knowledge we gained here, has induced curiosity among us to be critically aware of the social realities and effectively address them. “The issues we discussed in the workshop are not just academic but real issues of people. We understood how important it is to explore these issues and find effective solutions”, emphasised, Scholastic Prajwal Apose SJ
9 Jesuit scholastics from different provinces in India attended the workshop on Socio-cultural Analysis from 18-29 April, 2023 at Indian Social Institute, Bengaluru. The 12-day long programme created made greater impact among the young Jesuits on the social realities and helped in developing critical thinking. Fr Joseph Xavier SJ addressing on the meaning of religious life today said, “Values and Beliefs are important aspects to one’s social commitment in life. Fr Stan Swamy SJ was one such person who committed his life for the cause of poor”.
Francis Balaraj SJ
Social Inclusion & Democracy Unit